College football around the state

UM lineman faints after practice

CORAL GABLES -- Miami defensive end Jerome McDougle fainted at the end of morning workouts Tuesday, but a team physician said his collapse was not due to heat exhaustion.

"Although we have not determined the exact cause as of yet, we have ruled out heat exhaustion," said Dr. John Uribe, the team's physician and orthopedic surgeon. "At this time all of his lab results are normal, and we're continuing to investigate and evaluate his condition."

Uribe also added McDougle had similar fainting episodes during two-a-day practices while at Hinds (Miss.) Community College.

McDougle, 23, of Pompano Beach, was taken to Doctor's Hospital next to the university for examination and will be held overnight for observation, said Doug Walker, assistant sports information director. -- TIMES WIRES

Charges on DL dropped

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State starting defensive tackle Jeff Womble, arrested in July on misdemeanor marijuana possession, has completed the terms of a pretrial intervention program and the charge has been dropped, his attorney said.

O.J. Jackson, 20, a redshirt junior vying for a starting job at defensive end, was arrested at the same time as Womble. The possession charge was dismissed and he faces a violation for driving with a suspended license, attorney John Kenny said. Jackson likely will have to perform community service and pay a fine and costs at traffic court. -- BRIAN LANDMAN

Early return for lineman?

GAINESVILLE -- Florida center David Jorgensen might be back a game earlier than expected.

Jorgensen is suspended for the first game of the season for a violation of university policy, but has appealed. Coach Steve Spurrier said Monday that All-America cornerback Lito Sheppard and an another unnamed player might have suspensions lifted.

Offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens said Jorgensen is the other player.

Bulls-Sooners on horizon?

TAMPA -- South Florida and defending national champion Oklahoma are negotiating to play September 2002 in Norman, Okla. "There's a natural excitement that goes with a game like that," said athletic director Lee Roy Selmon, an Oklahoma alumnus. "But I hate to talk about it unless it's a done deal. ... So I'm holding my excitement."

Oklahoma senior associate athletic director Jeff Long said the Sooners "would like to bring home one of our favorite sons. But there are several options. ... " -- BRUCE LOWITT, KEITH NIEBUHR

MAC offer possible

ORLANDO -- The Mid-American Conference will extend UCF's program an invitation to join if Marshall spurns a similar offer from C-USA and stays in the MAC, UCF officials said.

"We have had discussions with them about that," athletic director Steve Sloan said. -- TIMES WIRES

Depth chart jump

DAYTONA BEACH -- Defensive back Larry Crayton from Tampa Catholic, a transfer from Southern Miss, has moved from fourth to second string. Coach Alvin Wyatt said he is impressed with the redshirt freshman's coverage abilities and game knowledge. -- TIMES WIRES